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A Guide to the C-Train

A Guide to the C-Train

Use this guide to plan a day exploring Calgary on the C-Train, with must do experiences at every station

By

Crackmacs

December 21st, 2018

Crackmacs are a pair of downtown dwelling Calgary bloggers

As bloggers promoting the city, we live downtown and do not own a vehicle. In fact, we don't even have driver’s licenses. We've lived in Calgary for over 10 years and get around using Calgary Transit, the city's public transportation service. Calgary is jam packed with accessible services and options for everyone taking transit on a visit to the city.

Our transit system has an extensive bus network and the C-Train – a light rail network consisting of 45 stations reaching all over the city; there's so much to see and do around them.

We've put together a list of every transit station in Calgary, and something worth checking out at each one. There's something for everyone immediately next to the C-Train, from restaurants and major attractions to arenas and activities for children (plus some excellent places to find local craft beer for parents)!

Buy yourself a Calgary Transit day pass (at any ticket machine using cash, debit, or credit cards) and go see what our city has to offer using this handy guide.

Dalhousie

Dalhousie is the closest train station to Nose Hill Park, a massive 11km inner city park. If you hop on the #77 bus from Dalhousie station, it only takes about 20 minutes to get there. Nose Hill Park is the fourth largest urban park in Canada, and one of the largest urban parks in North America. 198 wildlife species have been seen here, so keep an eye out for coyotes or whitetail deer.

CF Market Mall is a short ride away from the Brentwood station.

Brentwood

CF Market Mall is only a 5 minute bus ride away from Brentwood station. The #53 bus will get you to and from the mall. Ask your driver for directions if you have any questions. CF Market Mall is one of the largest malls in Calgary with an impressive 229 stores.

University

The University of Calgary, located adjacent to University Station has a beautiful state of the art campus, which is worth seeing just to see it. It’s not only a great place to wander through but they also have numerous active living facilities you can use throughout the day, by purchasing a day pass.

Banff Trail

The Calgary Stampeders call McMahon Stadium home, and it's only a short walk from Banff Trail station! If there isn't a game or event happening, perhaps you might be interested in some BBQ? Big T's Smokehouse is beside the station, and worth stopping for legendary smoked meat. You can't miss it.

Lions Park

Directly across the street from Lion's Park Station is North Hill Centre, which has several restaurants and stores to shop in. Because North Hill mall is a long and flat shape, it's a good place to go for indoor walks with people who have reduced mobility.

Take in a show at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium at SAIT/ACAD/Jubilee station (Photo credit: Kelly Hofer).

Meet some new friends at the Regal Cat Café near Sunnyside station (Photo credit: Adrienne Matthew).

Sunnyside

Do you like cats? Regal Cat Cafe is a short walk from Sunnyside station and you’re going to love it. It's a café meets cat jungle gym. You can sip a latte and snuggle up to a kitty (if she'll let you). Best part? Every cat there is available for adoption through a local rescue.

8th St. SW

Do you like interactive art? The Chinook Arch is an outdoor art piece that changes colour based on what it sees through a tiny little window designed for a cell phone to sit on. Play a colourful YouTube video and watch the colours dance, you'll love it. It is a little bit of a walk from the station, but not too bad (about 10 minutes).

The Peace Bridge is a short walk from the 7th Street Station (Photo credit: Corey Myke).

7th St. SW

If you walk directly north from 7th St. SW station for a few minutes, you'll hit the Peace Bridge in all its glory. This state of the art bridge is beautiful and kind of looks like a giant Chinese finger trap, and you can even use it to cross the Bow River. Bring a camera for this iconic Instagram moment.

6th St. SW

Are you an indie movie buff? The Globe Cinema is THE place to go and steps away from 6th St. SW station! They feature all sorts of independent films and festival winners, with the occasional mainstream flick. The Globe Cinema often hosts events, and yes, they sell alcohol.

4th St. SW

Connected to the train platform you'll find the Harley Hotchkiss Gardens, a beautiful green space monument dedicated to famed local Calgarian Harley Hotchkiss. A great place to stop for lunch, or to catch Pokémon, if you're into that.

The CORE Shopping Centre is located in the heart of downtown Calgary and close to 3rd St. SW station.

3rd St. SW

Head to 3rd St. SW station and you’ll find the CORE Shopping Centre, where you can check out the world’s largest suspended glass ceiling! There's lots of restaurants and stores of all kinds to visit. You'll also find Devonian Gardens, which is a large indoor park and botanical garden, and a great place to have lunch.

The Galleria Trees on Stephen Avenue near 1st St. SW station (Photo credit: Travel Alberta).

1st St. SW

Take a walk from 1st St. SW station over to 8th Avenue, also known as Stephen Avenue. There's a plethora of historic buildings to see and go inside, multiple stores and restaurants, plus artwork. You won't be able to miss the Galleria Trees. Look for them beside the +15 (most of the city’s downtown buildings are connected by covered walkways called +15s, as they're 15 feet off the ground). The Glenbow Museum is along Stephen Ave, too!

The Calgary Tower is a short walk from the Centre Street station (Photo credit: Travel Alberta).

Centre St.

Get off at Centre St. station if you want to visit the Calgary Tower! It's barely a 2 minute walk away. Take an elevator to the top and see Calgary how it was meant to be seen. Sky360 is a restaurant located at the top of the Tower and, as you enjoy a meal, it rotates 360 degrees, giving you a terrific view of the city.

Explore the Central Calgary Library from City Hall station (Photo credit: Neil Zeller).

Discover the history of music in Canada at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, a couple blocks from City Hall station

The Erlton/Stampede station is a great way to get to the Calgary Stampede.

Erlton/Stampede

Scotsman's Hill is one of our cities most beautiful vantage points, and you can get some phenomenal photos any time of year from this spot. Get off the train at Erlton/Stampede and walk up the hill, you won't be disappointed. This is one of the most popular places to watch fireworks during the Calgary Stampede. This station is also the best place to get off when you’re going to the Stampede, because the Erlton entrance (directly adjacent from the C-Train) tends to have the shortest line to get in.

Stop for a pint in the Barley Belt at the Annex Ale Project, near 39th Avenue station (Photo credit: Travel Alberta/Chris Amat).

39th Avenue

If you like craft beer, there are 7 craft breweries just a short walk from here! Explore the Barley Belt and check their website for who the brewers are, where they’re located, and when they're open. 39th Ave station is also close to Stanley Park, a 21 hectare green space and sports park.

Calgary Transit is a convenient way to get to CF Chinook Centre from Chinook station

Take the #502 bus from Heritage station to Heritage Park

Chinook

Take the train to Chinook station and walk to CF Chinook Centre! With over 250 stores and restaurants, you can't see it all in one day at one of the best malls in Calgary.

Heritage

Go back in time at Heritage Park, Calgary's own historical village and museum. They have events all year long, and an especially great experience in the summer. See what life was like in Canada in the before time, in the olden days and be sure to visit Gasoline Alley! Take the #502 bus from Heritage station to Heritage Park, and back again

Wave pool fun at the Southland Leisure Centre, a short bus ride from Southland station

Southland

A quick bus ride from Southland station is Southland Leisure Centre, a massive indoor multipurpose recreational facility, which includes a wave pool! This is a great place to take your family for a day of activity.

Anderson

Just a short walk from Anderson station, you'll find Southcentre Mall, which has almost 200 stores and restaurants. Alternatively, directly beside the mall is also the Trico Centre, a family wellness centre. They have a gym (badminton, basketball etc.), wave pool, skating arena and way more.

Somerset–Bridlewood

Do you lead an active lifestyle? Head to Somerset-Bridlewood and walk 5 minutes to the Shawnessy YMCA! Right next door to it is Cardel Rec South, which has ice skating programs and other things you can do to get your heart rate up.

69th St. SW

Sirocco

Calgary is filled with hidden green spaces! Adjacent to Sirocco station is a walking/biking path that'll take you through Strathcona Ravine, which is a cozy tree covered boardwalk away from the city noise.

45th St. SW

Optimist Athletic Park is a brief walk from 45th St. SW station. In the summer time, it's used for outdoor sports. In the winter, it turns into a great place to take a toboggan down or go for a walk in the fresh air, away from the busy city.

Take the train to Westbrook station to arrive at Jubilations Dinner Theatre

Westbrook

One of the easiest malls to get to in Calgary outside of downtown, Westbrook Mall has over 70 brand name stores, including a Walmart, and Jubilations Dinner Theatre. Make sure to stop by My Donair in the food court - yum yum (maybe the best in the city)!

Sunalta

Into gaming? Fantasy? Sci-fi? Located a block away from the Sunalta station is Sentry Box, one of the best places to nerd out in Calgary. Board games, cards, miniatures, puzzles, you name it are found here – a wonderful space for gamers in Calgary and totally unique.

Downtown West–Kerby

Canada's largest free outdoor skate (rollerblades/skateboards) park is right across the street from Downtown West-Kerby station, at Shaw Millennium Park. It's a beautiful space that also often hosts events and includes a large green space. The Mewata Armoury is also right next door, which is National Historic site of Canada built in the early 1900s.

St. Patrick’s Island and the George C. King Bridge, near Bridgeland/Memorial station (Photo credit: Travel Alberta/Roth & Ramberg)

Bridgeland/Memorial

Bridgeland/Memorial station is a short distance from two really cool places to visit! St. Patrick's Island and the George C. King bridge (it runs across the Bow River). Plan to spend some time walking through and getting some fresh air! You'll probably see ducks, beavers, and plenty of Calgary wildlife.

The Calgary Zoo is the most visited zoo in Canada and is located at Zoo station.

TELUS Spark is a short walk from the Zoo C-Train station.

Zoo

The Calgary Zoo train station gives you access to both the Calgary Zoo, and TELUS Spark. TELUS Spark is a science museum with interactive exhibits, multimedia presentations and exhibits, while the Calgary Zoo is the most visited in Canada.

Fiasco Gelato is a 5 minute walk from the Barlow/Max Bell station

Barlow/Max Bell

We hope you love gelato! Fiasco Gelato is a 5 minute walk away from Barlow/Max Bell station. Their gelato is legendary and you need to try it on a visit to Calgary. If you plan ahead, check out the Gelato Academy where you get to make your own flavours.

Franklin

Escape rooms are all the rage these days and Franklin station is located right beside one! Escape2gether has 4 escape rooms locked and ready to test your abilities with your friends and family.

Take the train to Marlborough station to get to Tool Shed Brewery in Calgary

Marlborough

Marlborough station is just a 15 minute walk from Let's Bowl, one of the best bowling alleys in Calgary. Grab some beer and pizza while you're there. And yes, they do have glow-in-the-dark bowling, which is really fun if you haven't tried it. There's also 3 breweries just down the street. Common Crown, Tool Shed and Red Bison can all be accessed safely using Calgary Transit.

Rundle

At Rundle station, you'll find Sunridge Mall within a very short walk. This mall features 170 stores and restaurants. There's also several places beside the mall to visit, including a pet store, five guys, and even a Chuck-e-cheese!

Whitehorn

McKnight–Westwinds

One of the best outdoor parks in Calgary is only a 15 minute walk from McKnight-Westwinds station! Prairie Winds Park has basketball courts, lots of playgrounds for kids, picnic areas, a wading pool/spray park, tennis courts, soccer fields, and a toboggan hill!

Martindale

Nestled in the cozy neighborhood of Martindale, just off from Martindale station is a great place to take your dog and/or watch planes flying in/out of Calgary as it's right across from the runways of YYC Calgary International Airport (though, if you’re looking to transit to the airport, you need to take the #300 from City Centre station or the #100 from McKnight-Westwinds).

Saddletowne

Don't take the train to Saddletowne expecting to find the Saddledome! But take the train to Saddletowne to visit the Genesis Centre - a massive multi-purpose sport & special event complex close to the station. There are plenty of programs and things to do for the whole family.

Hopefully this list will help you discover something fun to do when you’re exploring the city. Let's end this list with a fun (but cool!) fact – the C-Trains in Calgary are powered 100% by renewable wind-generated electricity!